How to Cancel a Proton VPN Subscription: Easy Guide (2025)

Proton VPN provides strong security and privacy protection, but some of its long-distance connections are a bit slow. The good news is that Proton VPN has a 30-day money-back guarantee. As long as you cancel your subscription via live chat within this period, you’ll be given a full refund. I even tested it myself and can confirm it’s dependable.

Do I need a Proton VPN alternative? It’s in your best interest — in some countries, like the EU, US, and Australia, ISPs are obliged to record user data to share with their local governments¹. Plus, with cybercrimes on the rise worldwide, it’s always a good idea to have an active VPN to keep your online activities private and safe.

My top alternative is ExpressVPN. It’s significantly faster than Proton VPN across its entire server network while offering the same high level of security and privacy. You can try ExpressVPN risk-free because it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, like Proton VPN. Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at vpnMentor, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process.

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Short on Time? Here Are the Best Proton VPN Alternatives in 2025

Editor's Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: Intego, CyberGhost, ExpressVPN, and Private Internet Access. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

The Ultimate Guide: How To Cancel Proton VPN and Get a Refund

The following guides can all be used to cancel Proton VPN Plus and Proton Unlimited subscriptions. The length of the subscription doesn’t matter regarding the money-back guarantee — you can get a full refund on 1-month, 12-month, and 24-month plans.

How do I cancel a Proton account? The method you used to sign up for Proton VPN can affect how you cancel your account and get a refund. For example, if you signed up on iOS, you will need to cancel via an iOS device. Follow the most relevant guide below to request your refund in minutes.

Canceling Proton VPN via the Website

If you signed up for Proton VPN via the official website, the quickest and easiest way to cancel your subscription is via live chat. Alternatively, you can submit a contact form or email support to make your request, but make sure you do this with plenty of time before your refund period is over. Here’s how the process with live chat goes:

1. Go to the website and log in. Visit Proton VPN’s main website and use the login details you subscribed with to access your account.
   You can log in with your username or your email address
2. Click the account widget and scroll to Chat with us. I got a response within one minute. Note that this service isn’t available late nights or early mornings, European time.
   Proton VPN's live chat is available 24/7
3. Request a refund. Make sure to get confirmation that your refund has been initiated before leaving the chat.
   The agent offered me a special deal before confirming my refund
4. Check your bank account. You should receive your refund within 10 days.
   You can only be refunded using the method you used to pay

Canceling Proton VPN on iOS and macOS (Apple App Store)

If you signed up for Proton VPN using an iOS or macOS device, the guides below will show you how to cancel and pursue a refund. It’s a little more time-consuming to request a refund for Proton VPN via iOS or macOS, as the refund itself is handled by Apple. Before uninstalling the app, follow the relevant guide to your device to cancel your Proton VPN subscription:

Canceling Proton VPN on iOS

1. Go to Settings on your iOS device.
2. Click your Apple ID profile at the top.
3. Click Subscriptions.
4. Find Proton VPN among the subscriptions and tap it.
5. Click Cancel Subscriptions.

Canceling Proton VPN on macOS

1. Go to the App Store.
2. Tap on the registered account name in the bottom left.
3. On the listed apps, find Proton VPN and click the Edit option.
4. Choose Cancel Subscriptions and finish the process.

Regardless of the Apple device you used, requesting a refund is the same process. Here’s what you need to do next:

1. Go to the Report a Problem page on the Apple website.
2. Provide your Apple username and password.
3. Click I would like to…, and scroll to Request a refund.
4. In the Tell us more… section, say you want a refund from Proton VPN and explain why.
5. Submit your request and keep an eye out for the response in your Apple ID email inbox.

Canceling Proton VPN on Android (Google Play Store)

It’s a similar situation for Android users. If you subscribed to Proton VPN through the Play Store, you’ll need to file your refund request with Google. Before uninstalling Proton VPN, complete the following steps to get the ball rolling:

1. Open the Google Play app.
2. Tap your profile picture to access the menu.
3. Tap the Payments and Subscriptions section and choose Subscriptions.
4. Select Proton VPN, then Manage, followed by Cancel Subscription.
5. Explain why you’re canceling the service.
6. Next, click Account and then Purchase History.
7. Find and click Proton VPN, followed by Request a Refund. Explain why you want to be reimbursed.
8. Wait for a response. Most refund decisions are made within 1 business day, but it can take up to 4 on rare occasions.

Best Proton VPN Alternatives in 2025

Is Proton VPN still safe? Proton offers free accounts to activists and journalists⁴ and is valued around the world for its privacy practices and verified no-logs policy. So yes, I’m confident that it’s a safe option. Still, while Proton VPN might not be for everyone, going without a VPN entirely is risky.

The table below offers an at-a-glance comparison of the best Proton VPN alternatives. You can compare prices and money-back guarantee periods. VPNs with large server networks are ideal to securely access content from anywhere. It’s also helpful to look for a VPN offering multiple simultaneous device connections if you have lots of gadgets or a large household.

1. ExpressVPN — The Fastest Speeds We've Tested Across Its Entire Network

Editor’s Choice Editor’s Choice Try Risk-Free for 30 Days
Tested April 2025

Available on:

Windows Mac Android iOS

Chrome Router Smart TV More

Try ExpressVPN >

www.expressvpn.com

ExpressVPN is much faster than Proton VPN according to our tests. Its proprietary Lightway protocol is significantly more lightweight than most, making connections much faster than Proton VPN for streaming and torrenting. Our videos didn’t buffer when streaming in UHD, and even distant servers delivered impressive speeds during our ExpressVPN tests.

Automatic obfuscation on every server makes your VPN connection look like regular internet traffic. That means you don’t have to adjust any settings to bypass tough network restrictions at work, college, or on public WiFi hotspots. It’s also much faster than the obfuscation provided by Proton VPN’s sluggish Stealth protocol.

As with Proton VPN, the plans are a bit pricey. However, ExpressVPN frequently offers generous discounts — I got 61% off for a final price of just $4.99/month. ExpressVPN also offers a reliable 30-day money-back guarantee if you aren't a fan of the service. I tried it for testing purposes and was fully reimbursed in just a few days.

2. CyberGhost — Optimized Servers For Streaming, Torrenting, and Gaming

Available on:

Windows Mac Android iOS

Chrome Router Smart TV More

Try CyberGhost VPN >

www.cyberghostvpn.com

CyberGhost offers easy-to-find dedicated servers for streaming, torrenting, and gaming. When testing CyberGhost’s streaming-optimized servers, we safely accessed Disney+ and YouTube TV in HD. Unlike Proton VPN, it even worked with DAZN US. Its speeds are overall pretty fast, but they are close in comparison to Proton VPN, with greater slowdowns when it comes to long-distance connections.

Its apps are user-friendly and offer an intuitive Smart Rules feature, which lets you customize the VPN’s automation rules. The monthly plan is expensive (and offers a short 14-day money-back guarantee). However, the long-term plans are more affordable — starting at $2.03/month. Plus, they come with an extended money-back guarantee that lets you try CyberGhost for 45 days for free.

3. Private Internet Access (PIA) — Customizable Settings Let You Balance Speed and Security

Available on:

Windows Mac Android iOS

Chrome Router Smart TV More

Try Private Internet Access >

www.privateinternetaccess.com

PIA stands out for its high level of customization, surpassing even Proton VPN in this regard. For instance, users have the flexibility to adjust the encryption level, choosing between AES 128-bit for faster performance or AES 256-bit for enhanced security, albeit at the cost of speed.

The only issue is PIA’s overall customizability can be daunting to some. However, I found PIA is pre-configured for a good mix of security and speed — so you don't need to change any settings unless you want to. It’s also a budget-friendly option, with prices as low as $2.03/month, which is much lower than Proton VPN. Plus, you can try PIA for free as it has a reliable 30-day money-back guarantee.

Our Methodology for Testing VPN Alternatives to Proton VPN

We followed a strict set of criteria when choosing alternative services to Proton VPN. These services all offer fast speeds, even on long-distance servers, making them good alternatives for streaming, gaming, and torrenting. They each require differing levels of technical proficiency. We also made sure each VPN has standout features that make them preferable to Proton VPN.

Visit our testing methodology page for all the details on our testing philosophy. Here, you’ll find a full breakdown of the methods we use to bring you the latest cybersecurity news. Feel free to use this as the basis for your own testing.

How Do I Cancel Proton VPN Auto-Renewal?

Around 1.5 billion people regularly use VPNs², so keeping a plan on auto-renewal often makes sense. If you’ve decided you want to move on from Proton VPN at the end of your contract, be sure to cancel auto-renewal, or you’ll be charged for another subscription. Here’s how:

1. Sign in to your account using the link in the top right of the website.
2. Click Subscription on the left side menu.
3. Scroll to the bottom of the page to Cancel Subscription.
4. Click Continue.
5. Click Cancel subscription on the popup window.

Proton VPN Refund Terms and Conditions

If you cancel your account within the 30-day period, you're eligible for a full refund. This is an improvement to its previous policy, under which you would only receive a prorated refund for the unused portion of your subscription. That said, you can downgrade your account (from Unlimited to Plus) at any time and will be given account credits for the prorated amount in this case.

The money-back guarantee is available for any Plus and Unlimited plan that’s purchased directly through Proton's official channels, such as its website or apps. If the subscription was purchased through a third-party provider, a refund must be requested from that provider, as Proton VPN's policy does not apply.

Keep in mind that refunds are not available if you pay via cash or bank transfer. Aside from this, Proton VPN issues refunds in the currency and payment method you used to subscribe.

It’s also worth remembering that refunds are only available for first-time subscribers. So, if you’ve had a refund with Proton VPN before, the money-back guarantee is not valid.

Also, note that you can no longer downgrade to the free version of Proton VPN. But you can always open a new free account once you’ve canceled your premium one. And, while Proton VPN has a verified no-logs policy, it does retain some data (for example, your recovery email, if you provided one). But you can request for this to be deleted.

FAQs on Canceling Proton VPN

How do I delete my Proton VPN account?

To delete your Proton VPN account, sign in to your Proton Account dashboard and go to the account deletion section. Deleting your account permanently removes all data, including VPN configurations and connection logs. However, if you have an active subscription, you must cancel it first. Be aware that deleting your Proton VPN account also affects linked Proton Mail services if you use the same credentials. I recommend exporting critical data before proceeding.

How long does it take to get a Proton VPN refund?

Proton pledges to process all refunds within 30 days³, but in our years of working with Proton VPN, it’s never taken longer than 10 days. Refunds requested within the 30-day money-back guarantee are approved and initiated immediately. The exact time it arrives in your account depends on your payment provider.

Keep in mind, refunds are only available for first-time subscribers who cancel within 30 days. If you paid via cryptocurrency, the refund may take longer due to blockchain processing times. I suggest contacting Proton VPN support if you don’t see the refund within 14 days.

How do I check my current Proton VPN subscription?

To check your Proton VPN subscription, log in to your Proton Account dashboard and select the Subscriptions tab. This section displays your plan type, billing cycle, and renewal date. If you’re on a free plan, it will show no active paid subscription. You’ll also find options to cancel your account (which will cancel auto-renewal).

What can I do with my Proton VPN account credits?

You can apply them toward a future subscription renewal or upgrade (or downgrade). Credits do not expire. If you cancel your subscription, the remaining credits stay in your account unless you request a refund (if eligible). I recommend using them before deleting your account, as credits are forfeited upon deletion.

Can a Proton VPN subscription be transferred to another user? No. Nor can credits be transferred or exchanged.

Will I keep my Proton Mail account after canceling Proton VPN?

Yes, you keep your Proton Mail account after canceling Proton VPN, provided they are separate accounts. If you use a unified Proton Account, canceling only the VPN service does not affect your email. However, deleting your entire Proton Account removes both services. I advise double-checking your account structure before taking any irreversible actions.

To summarize, these are the best Proton VPN alternatives with money-back guarantees...

Editor's Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: Intego, CyberGhost, ExpressVPN, and Private Internet Access. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

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9.9 /10

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References

1. https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/14-eyes-countries/
2. https://windscribe.com/blog/vpn-statistics-trends/
3. https://proton.me/legal/terms?ref=pvpn_blog_b2c_vpn_footer/
4. https://proton.me/mail/